System Planned to Warn Montana Motorists Of Dust Storms

State and local officials have developed a plan to warn motorists on Interstate 15 in Montana of blinding dust storms caused by white alkali dust blowing across the highway south of Sunburst.

Montana Department of Transportation spokeswoman Lori Ryan says visibility sensors will be placed in the problem area. The Great Falls Tribune reported that when visibility drops, lights about one-half mile on either side of the area will flash to warn drivers of low visibility. The work could be completed by mid-August.

The area is subject to whiteouts when the boggy area dries out and strong winds blow the alkali dust.

In mid-May, a whiteout in the area claimed the life of a Shelby woman in a series of crashes involving nine vehicles.

Topics Windstorm